Editorials

Dredging the web

August 12, 2012

Politics is a filthy business. New technology provides the mud slingers added opportunities to ply their disgusting trade, as a news story from Ohio illustrates.

In a story datelined from Cincinnati, The Associated Press reported this week that President Barack Obama's campaign is using the Internet to solicit stories about Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Both men have been named as potential running mates for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

In Ohio, a website form seeks "need to know" information about Portman. In Florida, a site asks for the "good, bad and ugly" on Rubio.

Count on anything good about the senators being consigned to a computer trash bin. Clearly, the idea is to dig up dirt about Portman and Rubio, in preparation for a smear campaign.

Technology brings many benefits to our lives. What a shame it is being used in the slimy end of politics.